Environmental Labelling

The new environmental label measuring the total impact of food products on the ecosystem is both clear and reliable. The project was presented in mid-February in Milan at WiGreen, the first international forum on environmental sustainability, the product of collaboration between Sprim Italia and the Università Cattolica di Piacenza e Cremona. The environmental label offers transparent and simple information to consumers on the food’s environmentally sustainable characteristics, which are measured through a points system integrated by a three pronged index outlining the product’s toll on air, water, and soil. Or in other words its impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the use of hydric and natural resources. The analysis is applied to the entire life-cycle of the product in line with ISO 14040-14044 standards on activities related to the extraction of raw materials, processing, distribution to point-of-sale, and packaging disposal. The environmental label gives shoppers an awareness of the effects of their food consumption habits on the ecosystem, leading to more refined and informed choices.